Superintendent explains school district response to parking lot shooting at Heritage Middle School

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – West Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Beth Slette has issued a lengthy statement to parents and staff regarding the school district’s response to a shooting incident Monday in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School in Horace.

The shooting involved two construction workers employed by a subcontractor. No students or school employees were harmed, or connected to the incident.

Garmonyou Wiles, a 40-year-old from Fargo, was arrested for felony reckless endangerment, felony aggravated assault, and felony terrorizing.

The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries to a hand.

Slette’s entire statement is below:

Dear West Fargo Public Schools Parents/Guardians and Staff,

“We want to take a moment to follow up on the incident that occurred yesterday in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School. We recognize that events like this are concerning, even for families not directly connected to the schools involved, and we want to provide additional context, reflection, and reassurance now that our teams have had a chance to debrief.

First and foremost, we are grateful for the strong and coordinated response from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the West Fargo Police Department. School and district leadership were engaged in the Incident Command process, which allowed us to receive timely, accurate information and make informed decisions throughout the situation. In an Incident Command structure, one agency leads the response (in this case, law enforcement) and all partners, including the school district, operate under that direction. This ensures a coordinated, accurate, and safe response, but it also means that decisions about what information can be shared, and when, are guided by the lead agency.

All actions taken by the district, including the language of our communications and the timing of the initial lockdown and the return to normal operations, were done in direct consultation with and at the recommendation of law enforcement, who had full awareness of the situation as it unfolded.

It is important to be clear that this incident is being investigated as a criminal matter by law enforcement. While it occurred on school property, it is not within the district’s role to investigate or comment on the specifics of the case. We will continue to cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners.

Based on information shared by authorities, this situation stemmed from a personal dispute between two employees of a subcontractor. Earlier that morning, the construction site supervisor had sent the suspect home to de-escalate the situation; unfortunately, that individual returned to the site during the crew’s scheduled break period to reengage with the victim. At no point were students or staff directly involved or at risk, and law enforcement quickly determined that the individual involved had left the area in a vehicle and did not pose an ongoing threat to the school or surrounding sites.

We also want to provide clarity around the safeguards in place related to construction on our sites. Gehrtz Construction Services, our construction manager, enforces strict protocols for all contractors working on school property. These include prohibitions on tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and firearms. Construction areas are secured, partitioned, and separated from student spaces, and contractors do not have access to learners during the school day. The on-site construction manager is the only individual with a key to these secured areas. In the rare event that a contractor must enter a student-occupied space, they are required to check in through the district’s visitor management system and are escorted at all times by authorized construction personnel.

As with any incident, we are taking time to reflect and learn. One area we have identified is the need to more clearly communicate the purpose of certain safety measures. For example, the continued lockdown at the Horace schools was maintained to protect the integrity of the active crime scene while law enforcement conducted their investigation, not due to an ongoing safety threat near or inside the buildings. We recognize that without that context, families may have understandably assumed a different level of risk.

During the incident, our staff’s full attention was focused on ensuring the safety and supervision of students and supporting law enforcement response efforts. This includes securing buildings, monitoring real-time updates, coordinating with emergency personnel, and checking on the well-being of students and staff. We understand that families want immediate, individual updates in moments like these. However, during an active situation, our ability to respond to phone calls, emails, or individuals arriving at the school may be limited. Following established safety protocols, including restricting entry and exit, is critical to maintaining a secure and controlled environment for everyone inside. We appreciate families’ cooperation and understanding that, in these moments, our first responsibility is the safety of all students and staff. Once the situation is stabilized, we are able to return to more direct and individualized communication.

West Fargo Public Schools has also made a long-standing commitment to preparedness through full-scale emergency response exercises conducted annually since 2015. Our next scheduled exercise is tomorrow, which serves as a timely reminder of why this work is so important. Notably, Heritage Middle School was the site of last year’s full-scale exercise, meaning staff in that building had recent, hands-on experience with emergency protocols and coordination. That level of preparation ensures our teams are ready to respond effectively should a situation escalate.

While we cannot eliminate every potential risk, we continuously review our practices and work closely with our partners to strengthen our response. Situations like this reinforce the importance of clear communication, strong protocols, and trusted partnerships.

We are proud of how our staff and students responded, and we appreciate the trust and partnership we share with our families and community.

Sincerely,
Beth Slette, Superintendent of Schools
Heather Leas, Director of Health, Safety, & Public Relations”